I am so ready for fall. It is, by far, my favorite season of the year. And not just because it’s pumpkin spice season. (Although that does add another reason to the yes column.) If you’re a fellow pumpkin spice fan, then keep reading to learn how to score a set of FREE warm and spicy pumpkin scented cleaning products. Plus check out some great tips on getting your home ready for fall along with twelve of my favorite pumpkin spice recipes that you can craft indoors on a chilly weekend.

For the love of pumpkin spice.

OMG. Summer has just dragged on forever this year. But basic or not, I’m so ready for pumpkin spice season! My boyfriend, on the other hand, is just psyched it’s finally football season again. While he’s cheering on the Jacksonville Jaguars, you can find me sneaking across the street for a pumpkin spice latte at our local Starbucks.

I just can’t resist the warm, spicy taste of pumpkin spice – or the fragrant scent! So when I found out that Grove Collaborative now has Mrs. Meyer’s cleaning products in their new fall scents, I was instantly sold. Mrs. Meyer’s has three great scents for fall – mum, apple cider and pumpkin.

If you aren’t already a Grove customer, you can score a free trio of Mrs. Meyer’s cleaning products in your scent of choice. You’ll also get a replaceable head dish brush, free shipping and a free VIP trial when you make your first $20 purchase. You have to hurry, though, as this is a super limited time offer.

I’m a VIP member at Grove and I love that I can get free shipping AND a free gift with every order (with a minimum purchase.) Last month I scored a FREE Grove Collaborative bamboo prep board.

I’ve also gotten completely hooked on their European dish cloth set. These durable and absorbent sponge cloths are perfect for messes – and they helped my boyfriend give up his paper towel habit. Because these sponges are reusable, you simply pop them into the dishwasher to easily disinfect and clean them. If you’ve been working toward a zero waste lifestyle that reduces your carbon footprint, these dish cloths are a must!

Now if I can just break Greg of his Keurig coffee and convert him over to my favorite, lower acidity cold brew.

Once you’ve scored your free cleaning kit from Grove, be sure to check out these great tips for preparing your home for fall. Plus be sure to try one or more of my favorite pumpkin spice skin care and beauty recipes at the end of this post.

Fall homemaking & cleaning tips.

1. I’m not usually a baker (that’s more of my roomie’s expertise) but something about pumpkin spice season always inspires me to whip up an apple pie or a batch of pumpkin muffins. When that happens, Mrs. Meyer’s dish soap and the Grove replaceable head dish brush are perfect for a quick cleanup! Plus, they make a pretty sink-side display.

2. A fresh towel is such an underrated way to add some seasonal vibes to your kitchen. Grove’s heirloom red kitchen towel adds a pop of fall color and can handle the toughest messes.

Whether we’re hosting a casual cookout or a football party, fall is my favorite time of year to entertain. My roommate and I always make sure the guest bathroom is stocked with fluffy hand towels, plenty of toilet paper, and of course a seasonal hand soap. I receive so many compliments on Mrs. Meyer’s fall fragrances (and guests always want to know where I got them since our local stores sell out so quickly!)

3. Brisk fall days are perfect for tackling outdoor tasks and preparing your home for winter. Mrs. Meyer’s multi-surface is the only cleaner you need for wiping down patio furniture, light fixtures, and metal railings. Plus, the bold scents give you a boost of energy while you’re cleaning!

4. As the nights get cooler, it’s time to pull out your cozy fall bedding. To make your favorite blanket even softer and cozier, add a few drops of Grove’s lavender essential oil to Grove’s wool dryer balls before you toss them in the dryer!

My roommate, Bambi, wasn’t really sure about the dryer balls when I first purchased them, but now she’s hooked. Not only does it make our laundry softer, it also reduces static and decreases drying time so we can save energy.

5. Switching over your closet? Before you store your summer clothes, give them a good wash with Method laundry detergent so they’re fresh for next season.

I love using Method’s 4x concentrated laundry detergent. I bought the ginger mango fragrance two months ago and still have a ton of detergent left. I love the scent. However I really love that it doesn’t irritate my sensitive skin. Not only is this detergent HE friendly – I use it at my boyfriend’s apartment too – the bottle is designed so the cap doesn’t get all gummy from measuring out the amount I need.

6. Just like I reach for different clothes once the weather gets cooler, I also reach for different skincare products. I can’t live without Grove’s nourishing coconut skin superfood — it can be used as a face and body moisturizer, cuticle cream, and even eye makeup remover!

7. The start of fall also means the start of cold and flu season! To keep the sniffles at bay, I always keep a Grove hydrating hand sanitizer spray in my purse or travel bag. (This stuff is AMAZING!)

8. Can you believe stores are already putting out Halloween decor? This year, I’m aiming for zero-waste with natural decor like pinecones, potted mums, and gourds. They look festive and don’t take up that much needed storage space!

9. Tip to save on your fall product needs: Once you’ve submitted your Grove order, you will be signed up for the free 60 day VIP trial. For 60 days, save even more with free shipping, free gifts, price matching, exclusive sales and personal service. What are you waiting for? Order today!

Pumpkin Spice Skin Care & Beauty Recipes

Now that your home is in order, why not mess it up again? Try one of these fun pumpkin spice skin care & beauty recipes for you next weekend DIY. I mean, you do get to clean up the aftermath with more pumpkin spice. So why not?

Don’t forget to invite over a friend or two. I find that crafting is a ton more fun with friends as project cohorts. And a bottle of wine is always nice too!

You’re going to love this collection of frugal laundry tips to help you save money and go green! Because let’s face it. Laundry products can be expensive. This is especially true when you’re skin can’t handle the cheaper, synthetic and highly fragranced detergents and fabric softeners. So how can you save money and go green with naturally derived laundry products?

Keep reading to learn how to get my favorite green laundry solution for yourself absolutely free! Plus discover 12+ of my favorite frugal laundry tips including how to make your own 3-ingredient, all natural linen spray.

Why I decided to go green.

I had super sensitive skin growing up. As a result my mother would rinse our family’s laundry twice. She wanted to be sure we wouldn’t have a reaction to the combination of laundry detergent, bleach and fabric softener she used.

As a Gen-Xer, unscented laundry products were mostly unheard of when I was growing up. We used the staple laundry products – Tide laundry detergent, Clorox bleach and Downy fabric softener. Even with a second rinse, I still remember having very itchy skin.

Don’t get me wrong. I’m still in LOVE with the smell of original Downy fabric softener to this day. Unfortunately my skin hates it. As for dryer sheets? Well, they’d make my brother and I break out in hives. Looking back on how we used to wash and dry laundry, I’m a little bit terrified by the ingredients and synthetic fragrances that were used.

I’ve since switched to more naturally derived laundry products like Method’s Free + Clear Laundry Detergent Packs. These laundry packs are not only hypoallergenic, they also contain tough stain fighters to tackle life’s unexpected spills and splatters, all while keeping colors and whites bright. And I love that they’re both biodegradable and effective even in cold water.

However, as I’m currently on a budget, I’m trying to cut as many unnecessary products from my life as possible. That includes paper towels and, of course, fabric softener. Both of these products are easily replaced with reusable, eco-friendly options.

Green Friendly, Frugal Laundry Tips

This leads to the revelation of my favorite frugal laundry product. What is it? Wool dryer balls.

I first learned of wool dryer balls many years ago, but was always hesitant to give them a try. When I finally decided to bite the bullet and give them a try, I was sold.

Wool dryer balls can seem expensive at first. Especially if you’re using the store brand box of $1.99 dryer sheets. However if you use fabric softener or dryer sheets on a regular basis, wool dryer balls quickly pay for themselves in just a few shopping trips.

So what are some of the other perks of tossing your fabric softener and dryer sheets for good? Wool dryer balls not only help your clothing dry faster, therefore using less energy, but they effectively tackle static. They can also easily be scented, if desired, with your favorite natural essential oils and won’t irritate sensitive skin. Good for about 1000 uses, wool dryer balls also cut down on waste.

Lately I’ve been using the new Grove Wool Dryer Balls. They run around $16 for a set of three. However, you can grab a free set of wool dryer balls from Grove for a limited time, while supplies last. Not only will you receive a free set of Grove wood dryer balls, you’ll also get a free package of (my favorite!) Method free + clear laundry packs along with free shipping and 60 day VIP trial with your first order of $20 from Grove Collaborative.

(If you’re already a Grove customer, you’ll receive free Grove walnut scrubber sponges with your next order. They’re perfect for wiping down your laundry room sink, and the soft side is great at erasing grass stains from sneakers before you toss them in the wash!)

More eco-friendly, frugal laundry tips that are perfect for summer.

Following are a few more great frugal laundry tips to help you go green and save money this summer. There’s even a quick and easy 3-ingredient recipe for making your own natural linen spray!

The lazy days of summer are here, so I appreciate anything that makes my life easier. Laundry packs are truly effortless — no drips, no spills, no measuring. Toss a few in your suitcase for doing laundry on summer road trips instead of lugging around a bottle of detergent.

Soaking clothes overnight can help loosen grass stains and popsicle drips. Simply fill your washing machine with water, add your detergent and clothes, and let everything soak overnight while you sleep. In the morning, hit “start” and say goodbye to stains. (I also love Seventh Generation’s Natural Stain Remover Spray. It not only works miracles on my laundry, it’s also a great choice when deciding what to buy for your first Grove order.)

White-on-white looks great with a tan — not so good with deodorant and sunblock stains. Chlorine-free bleach is a great way to keep whites fresh without the “bleachy” smell.

Take advantage of breezy days and line dry your laundry. Instead of rushing, savor the small moments: the feel of sunshine on your face, the sight of laundry flapping in the breeze, and the smell of sun-dried clothing.

For those items that still need to go in the dryer, using wool dryer balls can cut down on waste (no more dryer sheets!), make your laundry softer, and speed up drying time. Your clothes and your energy bill will thank you!

Customize a laundry scent that will make you smile every time you get a whiff of your clothing. Just pick your favorite essential oil and apply a few dabs to your wool dryer balls for a fresh load of laundry.

If you don’t have an HE washing machine, skip the small laundry loads. Instead wait until you have a large load before doing laundry. This will not only save money and water, but it also means less wear and tear on your washing machine.

Washing your clothing in cold water saves energy and cuts down on your electric bill. You can get most of your family’s laundry clean without using any hot water. And because Method’s laundry packs work in cold water, you never have to worry about your laundry detergent getting the job done.

Be sure to clean out your lint trap after drying every load of clothes. A clogged lint trap or vent lowers the efficiency of your dryer and can also create a fire hazard.

Clean out your washer in regular intervals. All washers, not just newer HE washer, can develop odor over time that can transfer to your clothes. Rather than using chlorine bleach to clean your washer, try vinegar instead. Or give Real Simple Clean’s green friendly washing machine cleaner & deodorizer a try!

Do less laundry. Jeans are designed to be worn multiple times before being washed. So you can hold off on washing jeans until after they’ve been worn a few times. However, if your jeans start to smell sooner than you’d like, simply freeze them before wearing them the next time to tackle odors caused by bacteria from skin. (Seriously.)

Never run out of detergent again! Grove Collaborative delivers all your favorite natural household and personal care products to your doorstep, on your schedule. Once you’ve submitted your first order, you’ll be signed up for the free 60 day VIP trial. For 60 days, you’ll get free shipping, free gifts, price matching, exclusive sales and personal service. Sign up here now.

Do you have any green-friendly, frugal laundry tips that have helped you save money? I’d love to hear your own tried and true ideas. Simply share your eco-friendly laundry tips and tricks in the comments!

You’re going to love this herbal dry shampoo recipe! Made with natural botanicals, clay and essential oils, this dry shampoo not only keeps your hair looking great, but it smells amazing!

A modern day beauty cult favorite, dry shampoo is a must for summer. Not only does it absorb the excess oil that can leave hair looking dirty and greasy, but it’s also great for styling and volumizing fine, limp hair. My favorite way to use dry shampoo is for a boost of volume. However, it is also an absolute must for when I go camping or hit weekend festivals where a shower is probably not an option.

A lot of commercial dry shampoos unfortunately contain talc powder. As talc has recently been linked to cancer, you should look for dry shampoos that use arrowroot or rice powder instead. Or you can simply make your own!

Following you’ll find my favorite herbal dry shampoo recipe. It’s made using only natural ingredients. I first tested out this herbal dry shampoo recipe over a four-day festival. Not only did it keep my hair from looking like a limp, greasy mess it also helped deter insects. Additionally I only got a lot of compliments on the fragrance. So much so that I was “shampooing” the hair of others throughout my stay.

Another big plus? Because this dry shampoo doesn’t come in a can with propellant, there’s no need to worry about the heat possibly causing the can to burst. And it’s a more eco-friendly option than spray cans. Because you can use the same container for every new batch of my herbal dry shampoo recipe you make, there’s less packaging and therefore less waste.

If you’re not quite ready to jump into making our own herbal dry shampoo, then I recommend Chagrin Valley Soap & Salve Dry Shampoo for Dark and Light Hair. Available from Mountain Rose Herbs, this herbal dry shampoo is perfect for all hair types and textures. This dry shampoo powder helps to restore shine and body to your hair between washes and comes packaged in an environmentally friendly cardboard paper tube.

Instructions:

Not everyone’s hair is the same color obviously. To account for this, you can easily swap out the red Rhassoul clay called for in my herbal dry shampoo recipe with another type of cosmetic clay that better suits your hair color.

Next, using a different graduated plastic transfer pipette for each of the essential oils and rosemary extract, measure out and add these to the dry ingredients. Mix with a spoon, then slowly pour into a coffee bean grinder and mix well. Once mixed, simply pour into two 4 oz. containers of your choice.

To use simply apply to hair and lightly massage into your hair and scalp with your hands. (A makeup brush actually works great for applying your herbal dry shampoo!) Then brush your hair as usual to remove the excess and evenly distribute throughout your hair.

If you like my herbal dry shampoo recipe, then also be sure to check out my natural flea repelling dry dog shampoo recipe! My flea repelling dry dog shampoo recipe is made with natural ingredients that deodorize your dog’s coat while also helping to repel fleas.

Many modern day shaving creams don’t deliver a close shave like traditional shaving soaps. Even worse, their aerosol based packaging is bad for the environment. Making the switch to a homemade shaving soap is a more environmentally friendly choice. My natural shaving soap recipe is not only a great green alternative, but it’s also budget conscience so you save money in the long run over purchasing a commercial product.

Shaving soaps have been around since the 1800’s and, of course, were exclusively used by men. However, as conventions changed and women began shaving as well, we were eventually introduced to shaving creams.

Why Use a Homemade Shaving Soap?

While traditional shaving soaps are still used by a smaller part of the population, they are making a comeback. And with good reason. Not only do shaving soaps allow for increased hydration and a closer shave, they are also more environmentally friendly than shaving cream. So if you’re ready to start making greener changes to your lifestyle, homemade shaving soaps are an easy adjustment and a great way to make a small, but cumulative difference.

In addition to reducing packaging and aerosols, my natural shaving soap recipe is eco-friendly in another way. Because this natural shaving soap recipe is palm free, it doesn’t contribute to the deforestation of the rainforests. In addition to the environmental effects this has on the earth, it also threatens the habitats of endangered animals like orangutans and Sumatran tigers.

Ingredients that I do include in my homemade shaving soap recipe are lanolin and neem oil. I use lanolin for its moisturizing properties. Not only does lanolin prevent skin from drying out with repeated shavings, it also lends to a rich, creamy lather that helps prevent knicks and razor burn.

Instructions:

You’ll need to take safety precautions when making my natural shaving soap recipe. This includes wearing proper eye protection and gloves as well as long sleeves. Additionally, you should use only heat safe containers. None of your containers or your utensils used for soapmaking should be aluminum as when aluminum comes into contact with lye it produces a toxic gas.

Begin by preparing your lye solution. To do this, measure out the distilled water in fluid ounces into a heat safe, non-aluminum container. Then, in a separate container, use a digital scale to weigh out the lye. Pour the lye into the container of water then mix until all of the lye has dissolved. Set aside.

Next, weigh out the carrier oils, lanolin and shea butter and combine in a separate heat safe container or stainless steel pot. Heat either in the microwave (for non-metal containers) at 50% power or over medium-low to medium heat on the stove top. Alternately you may also use a crockpot. Once melted remove the soapmaking oils from heat and set aside to cool.

While you are waiting for the lye-water and the soapmaking oils for this natural shaving soap recipe to cool, weigh out the (optional) essential oils and set aside.

When both the aloe-lye mixture and the soapmaking oils have cooled to around 90°-95°F, you’re ready to make soap!

Pour the lye-water into the soapmaking oils then mix with an immersion blender until the soap reaches a light trace. Add the essential oils, then continue mixing until the essential oils are fully incorporated into the soap batter.

Then, once the soap has again reached a light to medium trace, pour the soap into a round silicone soap mold of your choice. Cover the mold with plastic cling wrap or parchment paper if desired, then set aside in a safe location where it won’t be disturbed.

Your natural shaving soap should be ready to unmold 24-48 hours later. Once removed from the mold, allow your shaving soaps to cure for 4-6 weeks prior to use.

More Natural Soap Recipes

If you like my natural shaving soap recipe, then you may also enjoy some of my other natural – and palm free! – cold process soap recipes that focus on promoting skin health. Here are some of my favorites.

Need a vinegar free all purpose cleaner that works magic on your family’s muck and mayhem? I have the absolute perfect 3-ingredient recipe!

If your husband is like my husband, he can’t stand the smell of cleaning vinegar. And he most definitely lets you know he HATES it. In my case the complaints were almost as bad as when men get sick. You know those complaints. They get a cold and you’d think they were dying.

While the smell of cleaning vinegar does dissipate, there’s absolutely no relief from a complaint about the smell regardless of the essential oils I use to freshen the scent. On the flip side of that, you want to use non-toxic cleaning products in your home. And in an effort to use more natural cleaning products, vinegar has always been your go to thing.

So what do you do when you A.) want save money by making your own natural cleaning products and B.) your husband threatens you with divorce if you use vinegar just one more time? The good news is, you can keep your husband. The better news is, you can make a homemade vinegar free all purpose cleaner that works like magic.

I’m talking this stuff took wine stains off my laminate countertop that were two weeks old kind of magic. Not only that, but it smells simply AMAZING. And the fragrance, just a single to-die-for essential oil, was personally approved by my husband. He actually came home and COMMENTED on how great the house smelled. I mean wow, right?

Not only does my vinegar free all purpose cleaner require the purchase of just TWO products, you’ll find that these products last a long time and have so many more uses than just cleaning countertops! Plus they’re eco-friendly!

Instructions:

If you don’t like strong scents you can halve the amount of essential oil used. (The usage rate of both the essential oil and Sal Suds is approximately 2.4%.) The amount called for in the recipe was enough to get a strong lemon fragrance that made the whole house smell fantastic.

(For the BEST price on Dr. Bronner’s Sal Suds, I purchase my Sal Suds from Thrive Market. Thrive Market offers wholesale prices on tons of natural, organic and eco-friendly products including food, vitamins, essential oils and household cleaning supplies. You can save 25% off your first purchase when you join risk free. Learn more here.)

How to Use Your Vinegar Free All Purpose Cleaner:

I used this specific vinegar free all purpose cleaner recipe to clean my bathroom and mirrors (without streaking,) to wipe down countertops and appliances as well as to mop my floor Swiffer style with an eco-friendly mop with reusable pads.

As this is a surfactant based cleaner, however, you’ll want to only use it on hard, sealed surfaces, painted or sealed (not waxed) wood or fabrics. For furniture and the like where you want to protect the finish, try this recipe using Dr. Bronner’s Pure Castile Soap in place of the Sal Suds. You can also use Sal Suds on fabrics to wash clothing as well as to spot treat stains.

Zap Red Wine Stains on Rugs + Countertops!

I’ve use this recipe to successfully clean red wine out of an outdoor rug as well as to remove wine stains from my laminate kitchen countertops. To clean my rug, I sparingly sprayed my vinegar free all purpose cleaner onto the stain and then rubbed it in with a rag dipped in hot water until the stain disappeared. (However, it is important to mention you do need to make sure you get all of the suds out of your rug or carpet when spot cleaning so that it doesn’t attract more dirt. You can learn more about cleaning your carpets using Sal Suds here.)

For the countertop, I heavily sprayed my vinegar free all purpose cleaner onto the wine stain and let it set. I then wiped the countertop down an hour or so later to find that the stain had magically disappeared. For tougher stains, you can repeat this step or simply let the cleaner sit on the stain longer. (You’ll want to spray enough cleaner on your countertop stain so that it forms a small puddle for best results.)

For lighter everyday cleaning, Dr Bronner’s recommends one tablespoon of Sal Suds per quart of water. You can then add lemon or other citrus based essential oils as desired for scent. (Pssst. A combination of lemon and peppermint essential oils will also deter spiders.)

You should find that my vinegar free all purpose cleaner also works better than a combination of vinegar, water and essential oils. As vinegar is primarily a degreaser, it just doesn’t have a lot of actual cleaning power.

What Else Can You Use Sal Suds For?

Dr. Bronner’s Sal Suds Biodegradable Cleaner is actually super versatile. And because most household cleaning uses call for so little of it, you’ll not only be surprised by how long it lasts, but also the savings from the products it replaces.

Wash + Spot Treat Laundry

To wash clothes in a top loading washer, use 2-3 Tablespoons of Sal Suds for a large load in place of your usual laundry detergent. For whites or extra funky smelling clothing, you can also add 1/2 cup baking soda to the wash cycle followed by one cup of vinegar during the rinse cycle. (Don’t add them both during the wash cycle or they cancel each other out.) For front loading HE washers, simply halve these amounts.

Wash Dishes + Veggies

To make a veggie wash add one drop of Sal Suds to a bowl of water. Then dunk your produce into the bowl, swish and rinse.

Or, to wash dishes, use a half teaspoon of Sal Suds in a sink of water. You can also use one drop of Sal Suds to wash a single pot.

Combine Sal Suds, vinegar and citric acid in a bowl and mix. In a separate bowl, combine the salt and warm water.

Once the bowl with the salt dissolves, stir in the mixture from the bowl with the Sal Suds. Add essentials oils then continuing stirring until the dish soap thickens. Then pour into a reusable dish soap container and use as you would regular dish soap.

Mop Floors + Clean Your Car

For mopping floors (using a mop and water bucket) as well as for washing cars, combine a half Tablespoon of Sal Suds to 3 gallons of hot water. Just be sure to add the Sal Suds to your bucket after you fill it with water.

Got it? Maybe? Don’t worry about trying to remember all of this. While I’d love you to bookmark this page for reference later on, the truth is, most of these recipes are on the back of the Sal Suds bottle for quick and easy reference. How nice is that?

Now not only can you enjoy a cleaner, healthier home, but you can also enjoy a happier husband!